QUALIFICATIONS AND RESEARCH INTERESTS

I have a degree in linguistics, a postgraduate qualification in sociology (largely social psychology, social anthropology) and in teaching.   I have wide experience in research, counseling, and advocacy since 1996.  I draw upon a wide range of research interests: gut, immune, metabolic issues, sensory perceptual and sensory processing disorders, the spectrum of communication disorders, motor planning issues, co-occurring mental health issues (mood, anxiety, compulsive, personality, identity, dissociative disorders), mild brain injury (including agnosias), learning differences, and environments and their patterning.

As a person diagnosed with autism, I became a published author in 1991, an international public speaker in 1994 and then an autism consultant in 1996.  As an autism consultant, I have worked with over 1000 families and individuals since 1996.  My text books are used in courses on special education & psychology.  I have been hired by health services, human services and  education departments to work with people in their care and provide training.

My job as a consultant is to explore a person's current communication, interaction, behavior, development and consider which low or no cost strategies might help that person lead a fuller life, better reach their potential and establish more harmonious relationships with those in their life. 

I have worked with those both formally diagnosed as well as those undiagnosed or self identifying with the autism spectrum who have experienced any combination of the following: 

• AUTISM SPECTRUM
• COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
• AGNOSIAS
• DIETARY DISABILITIES
• EXPOSURE ANXIETY
• DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
• PERSONALITY DISORDERS